Courts Minister Chester Borrows has confirmed the closure of Upper Hutt District Court.

The court and several others have been closed because of earthquake risk.

The Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt Courts will be reconstituted in Lower Hutt as the Hutt Valley District Court.

Mr Borrows says the changes are possible "due to the success this Government has had in reducing crime rates, and will help us deliver modern court services which are focused on delivering a just result to New Zealanders".

The Ministry of Justice will now work with local Police, Corrections, lawyers and others to ensure a smooth transition to these new arrangements in early 2013.

The Ministry has also consulted with court staff affected by these changes as part of its wider reconfiguration of the management and support structures within the District Courts.

Further information, including detailed information on individual courthouses, can be found at www.justice.govt.nz/courts/changes.